Hand to Mouth: Lindsay Hannon & Bradley Johnston @ Jazz Café. October 28

Lindsay Hannon (vocals) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley).

Earlier, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang visited the Lit & Phil, this evening Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass played a concert set at the Jazz Café. World class jazz in Newcastle! The little matter of Emma Fisk and James Birkett reworking the music of the 1920s master musicians, and later Lindsay Hannon and Bradley Johnston exploring Ella’s definitive take on the Great American Songbook didn’t dissuade the discerning. The ‘house full’ signs were dusted off, this was to be a memorable day, and, for good measure, a brief visit to the Vermont Hotel to hear two of the best in the business.

Ella/Lindsay in evening wear, Joe/Brad in funeral director’s suit. Ms Hannon said they had been rehearsing the material. We were to find out this had indeed been the case. A bossa opener – Dindi then The One I Love (Belongs to Someone Else), yes, this was all, and more, that the front row had been hoping for.

Those drinking in the back row were remarkably attentive – a testament to the music on offer. Ella was known for forgetting a lyric from time to time, not our Lindsay. Ne’er a  lyric sheet in sight, the Jazz Café (old and new) habitué impressed singing word perfect and including some rarely heard verses for good measure. Joe was known as the master accompanist with a predilection for the hard stuff (legal or otherwise). Brad is a present day master accompanist without a ‘jazz’ vice (it’s early days!). The Gershwins’ A Foggy Day in London/Newcastle Town heard Lindsay deliver a marvelous near-whisper foggy vocal. Brad sat with guitar held at an angle uncannily reminiscent of Joe Pass. Not since the emergence of Martin Taylor has there been a more promising talent likely to assume the mantle of the legendary American.

Stormy Weather, That Old Feeling, Autumn in New York – classic recordings all, Lindsay and Brad paid due respect with our vocalist’s distinctive phrasing intact yet respecting the cannon. Interval chatter focused on just how good the first set had been; the arrangements and the studied interpretations.

Second set highlights – the set was a highlight! – included Lindsay’s magical enunciation of One Note Samba, Brad’s blues on the Razaf/Redman staple Gee, Baby, A’int I Good to You? and West Coast Blues. On this evidence, Hand to Mouth could well have gigs going on the East Coast and the West Coast. Expect to hear Ella/Lindsay and Joe/Brad again.

Earlier, a flying visit to the Vermont Hotel to catch up with Ruth Lambert and Alan Law didn’t disappoint – as if! A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Stella by Starlight then I Thought About You. The GAS book just keeps on giving.  

Russell.